Short-Lived Species

1.

Yu Qixue had been crown prince since the day he was born. He was the Emperor's favorite, and by ritual rank stood as high as the Emperor himself.

The Emperor's favoritism had made Yu Qixue violent, spoiled, arrogant, and haughty.

Once, he stood atop the Eastern Palace's high terrace, looking down at a young man whose back was perfectly straight.

"That's Yan An, the great general's son, Yan Wuxiang. His mother was a maid, and the lady of the house never entered his name in the family registry."

Yu Qixue scoffed and lost interest.

After all, at that moment, Yan An was still his subject, beneath his feet.

2.

Later, Yan An was accused of treason, and an imperial decree ordered his execution.

Yu Qixue petitioned to clear Yan An's name. Another imperial decree came in response: exile to the northern frontier, where his proud bones were ground to dust.

The man once treated like precious jade now waited to die amid wind and snow. When he was summoned back, the unyielding General of the Chariots and Cavalry, Yan Wuxiang, stopped him outside the pass.

Yan Wuxiang lifted the carriage curtain. "I'm not here to rob you of your money today. I'm here to rob you of your virtue!"

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Bonus Scene: The General Sneaks into His Bed Late at Night

Late one summer night, Yu Qixue was sleeping soundly when the sound of someone tugging at his covers startled him awake. He reached for the dagger under his pillow.

Before he could do anything, someone pinned his hand above his head. "Your Highness, are you trying to murder your husband?"

[Reading Guide]

1. Both leads are devoted only to each other.

2. There are no grand ideas or political stances. It's just about living.

3. The author only thought of one central theme: "How to weaken the power of the chancellor." The story revolves around it, too.

4. Most of the setting is the author's own invention. It's a fictional dynasty, so don't overthink it.

Theme: Every man for himself, and the devil take the hindmost